Attempting my first run on my "new to me" WSM 18". Started the fire minion method with 20-25 pieces of KBB using the Weber large chimney and one of their fire starters. Added them to a nearly full load in the charcoal ring. Came up to temp of 200F very quickly. Closed two of the dampers and moved third to about 3/4 open. Still kept climbing. Added ribs. Temp stablized and then started rising again once ribs got warm. Closed all dampers (except top) to nearly closed. Had to remove some of the coals as I think I added too many and thus hard to control. Once I did that, it's been running steady at about 240F with 5* either way depending on wind gusts. Going to sauce the ribs (which have been on for about 3.5 hours) and let them go for another hour. Then going to heat it up to 300F and add some chicken for about an hour. Will add pics later.
First run on my WSM 18
- Thread starter Malvin C
- Start date
Cliff Bartlett
R.I.P. 5/17/2021
Instead of using 20-25 briquettes to start your Minion Method, Try 5 or 6. Then keep an eye on it and catch it on the way up. Start throttling the vents well ahead of your target temp.
Len Dennis
TVWBB Diamond Member
And I would interpret "well ahead" to be about 20o below target using fewer "starting" coals as suggested.
Last edited:
Kevin John
TVWBB Member
If I want my cook temp at 250 or below I start out with 15/16 Briquettes on hotter cooks (275-325) I'll start with 20/25. I like to fill up the charcoal ring with wood and briquettes and then pull briquettes from the middle of the ring to fire up in the chimney. I pour the hot coals right where I pulled them from and it usually takes 15-20 minutes for the WSM to get up to temp and I usually close 2 vents about 25 degrees before I get to my target temp.
